Safeguarding children and child protection

The International School of The Hague (ISH) recognises that every child has the right to develop physically, mentally and socially in a safe and secure environment. Children can not develop and learn effectively if their physical and mental health is negatively affected. This is a priority for all staff who have a responsibility to build relationships with students in order to promote a safe, caring and supportive environment both inside and outside of the classroom.  ISH takes very seriously any allegations or signs of abuse or neglect of a child and will follow up accordingly. Abuse is defined in The Netherlands to include, physical, psychological and sexual abuse. In addition, neglect can have as profound an impact on a child’s development as abuse and is taken equally seriously. The follow-up measures that we take may include contact with local and/or international law enforcement and contact with the organisations responsible for child protection in The Netherlands (e.g. Veilig Thuis, Crisis Intervention). 

ISH staff recognise their role in the recognition and response to the abuse or neglect of our students, and their responsibility to protect and safeguard the welfare of them at all times. The welfare of children is the prime consideration in any response to suspected cases of abuse or neglect, and we will ensure that all necessary measures are taken to safeguard the children in our care. Our safeguarding measures include rigorous safe recruitment practices that are in line with the guidelines set out by the International Task Force on Child Protection.

The Safeguarding and Child Protection Policy has been developed within the context of:

• the regulations of the Stichting Het Rijnlands Lyceum
• National and International law and
• the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child